Warm Weather Projects

Hello Gentle Readers. Summer days have arrived. We are in for a week of hot sunny, ninety degree days. Watering the garden plots with the trusty drip hoses is on my list of chores. Many juvenile robins try their wings while the red house finches feed their young. I'm waiting for the fireflies, aka "firebums" as my grandson Emmett, now a seventh grader, dubbed them when he was a toddler. Like most children, he was enchanted by flying insects with lighted "bums." Ever since they have been "firebums" to me. 

Today is Unraveled Wednesday with Kat and friends. My projects this week reflect the warmer weather.  I wanted to try a new-to-me cotton yarn so I bought two skeins (color way Sunshine) of Rowan Cotton from my local yarn shop for wash cloths. It is pricey but has a nice hand. I've worked on the first pink ribbed sock and plan to knit the toe in bright green. They are only socks so as far as bright colors, it's in for a dime, in for a dollar. 

I cast on a pumpkin hat for a baby gift. This little family expects twins in August so I'll be knitting two of these hats. I dither with baby sizes. On one hand, babies seem so small but they do grow and sometimes their head circumference is deceiving. The smallest size looked small. I hope this size isn't too big. 

As for reading, I listened to The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl. Although the story was a little unrealistic, it was an entertaining romp through Paris. I enjoyed the literary references, the time spent in Shakespeare and Company, and the characters. As I expected from Reichl, French food and wine is described with great sensory detail. I'm rereading a like-new copy of  A Sand County Almanac And Sketches Here and There by Aldo Leopold. I found it on the library sale shelf for a dollar and couldn't resist the bargain. First published in 1949, Leopold was a conservationist and wrote with ethical regard for the environment. His was an early voice questioning the loss of wetlands and other natural habitat. The lyrical writing continues to have value. 

Although the official beginning of summer is a week or so away, I send you this first little bouquet of summer.  Happy Summertime. 

TGIF - 6.7.24

Our Pollinator Garden with the neighbor's garden in the background 

Hello Gentle Readers, Honestly Wednesday morning was so lovely, I left the computer for a walk and then carried my coffee to the deck. As the old line of poetry goes, "What is so rare as a day in June?" We must enjoy every one and especially the sunny days with lower humidity. So here I am on Friday.

This week, I am thinking about summer reading and how readers' reactions to books can be so different. I recently decided that I am not going to read a book that has had lots of press. I read the beginning and didn't care for it. I read the first few chapters again, wondering what I had missed. Then I read Margaret Renkyl's reflections on Pilgrim at Tinker Creek (in the NYT's) and noticed how different they were from those of Camille T. Gungy's (Soil: A Black Mother's Garden) thoughts on the same book.  I respect both writers and their opinions. Both make valid points. Understanding and thinking about paradox is an interesting exercise. 

I am grateful for the rain and warm sunshine. This is the second year for my pollinator garden and it has begun to mature. I replaced a lavender and a blanket flower plant but the others are healthy. The blue salvia and the Husker Red Penstemon thrive. One variety of cosmos self- seeded in the corner of the vegetable plot. All of this growth and color makes me very happy and grateful for where I live. 

Cucumber hills, tomatoes, cosmos, zinnias and the compost barrel

I am inspired the kind words and messages I read in this online community. Kindness still exists in the world and it costs us so little to extend and receive it. 

Fun!  We have plans later in June to visit our daughter and family. All four of our grandchildren are playing baseball or T-ball. I have my travel sock yarn selected, plane tickets, sunscreen, visor, and sunglasses. I can't wait. They will just be getting out of school so all kinds of shenanigans are afoot. 

Norah, with pink accessories, a pink bat in her pink ballgame backpack

I hope you are finding joy in these early June days. If joy isn't possible, I wish you time to enjoy the June flowers and sunshine.